Page:Surrey Archaeological Collections Volume 7.djvu/18

 death. After passing through the hands of Sir Arthur Mainwaring and Sir Robert Parkhurst (once M.P. for Guildford, and who has a monument to his memory in Holy Trinity Church, Guildford), the estate was purchased in 1674 by Denzil Onslow, through whom it descended to the Earls of Onslow.

The house had a pleasant park attached, and there was a decoy-pool, and Denzil Onslow here treated his guests, as described in "Evelyn's Diary," to abundance of good things all produced on his own estate. The only remains besides the arch alluded to were some mullioned windows, which appeared worthy of notice. He had looked through the registers, but the most remarkable thing he found was that there was a custom of giving the ministers on certain occasions £10 for monument and on one of the registers the minister wrote "Gloria toto Deo." He observed, too, that a gentleman of the name of Pierrepont, who married a lady at the church, was described as alias Lord Kingston, the wedding being on a Sunday, and by special license.

Having fully explored Pyrford House, the company returned to Hoe-place, Woking. Here the visitors inspected the fine painted staircase and painted chamber. The work is after the style of that at Hampton Court, and in supposed to be the work of Verrio, the artist who executed the former. The subjects are taken chiefly from the Greek mythology, and the grouping shows considerable skill and effect. The painting of the figures is, however, in some points at fault, and the colouring is rather high in many cases. The painting is executed on panelling, and must have been a work of no small labour and time. In the painted chamber Mr. James Wainwright briefly described the work, and gave its history as far as known. The mansion, which is of large and handsome proportions, was greatly admired. It was erected in 1708 by the last of the Zouch family, chiefly, it is said, of the materials of the old manor-house Up to some years ago a beacon tower, of use when the district was in olden time more of forest and wild than it happily is now, stood on an eminence, but it has disappeared, like the Zouches who erected it.

Descending into the grounds, and passing over what seemed a dry moat, the company entered a spacious marquee, where Mr. Wainwright had hospitably prepared a cold collation for the entertainment of the members. Considerably beyond the number expected attended, but the arrangements were nevertheless of the most satisfactory and agreeable character. The chair was taken by W. Wainwright, Esq., J. P., who was supported by members of the Council and others. Grace having been said by the Kev. A. Mangles, the luncheon was partaken of by about 150 guests. At the close the Chairman proposed the "Health of the Queen," which was cordially drunk. He next proposed "Success to the Surrey Archaeological Society," and expressed the pleasure it gave him to promote the objects of so excellent a body.

Mr. Granville Leveson-Gower responded, and observed that as the county of Surrey was not rich in objects of archaeological interest, it was their duty to protect as &r as they could those which did exist. So long as gentlemen were able to entertain them as Mr.